About This Recipe

This Keto Chicken & Cauliflower Chowder is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s creamy, savory, and deeply satisfying — the kind of meal that makes you want to curl up on the couch and forget it’s raining outside. It’s also one of those recipes that converts even non-keto eaters, because it tastes like a classic potato chowder… except lighter, silkier, and without the carb crash.

Cauliflower is the quiet hero here. When simmered and blended slightly, it takes on the role of potatoes, thickening the soup naturally while keeping carbs incredibly low. Combined with tender chunks of chicken, crispy bacon, and a splash of cream, it creates the kind of texture and flavor that makes you forget what you’re “missing.” This isn’t diet food — it’s comfort food that just happens to be keto.

Across the U.S., searches for “keto soup recipes”, “low-carb chicken chowder”, and “cauliflower comfort food” peak every fall. It makes sense — people want something warm, meal-prep-friendly, and satisfying without relying on pasta or potatoes. This chowder hits all those points and adds real flavor thanks to smoked paprika, garlic, and thyme.

The beauty of this recipe lies in balance. You get the richness of heavy cream, the saltiness of bacon, and the gentle sweetness of cauliflower all working together. The result is thick enough to coat a spoon but still fresh, not heavy. And because it’s built on real ingredients — chicken, butter, cream, and veggies — it fits seamlessly into both strict keto and relaxed low-carb lifestyles.

It’s also easy to adapt. You can make it in a single pot, double it for meal prep, or even freeze portions for later. Every time you reheat it, the flavors deepen, and the creamy broth gets even better. So whether you’re cooking on a lazy Sunday or need something fast after work, this chowder is your autumn go-to.

Jump to Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy and comforting without being heavy
Naturally thickened — no flour or starch needed
Perfect for cold weather or meal prep
Ready in under 40 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

400 g chicken breast or thighs, diced
4 strips bacon, chopped
1 small head cauliflower, chopped
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp butter
500 ml chicken broth
200 ml heavy cream
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Cook bacon: In a large pot, fry bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, keeping the fat in the pot.
Sauté aromatics: Add butter, onion, and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant.
Add chicken: Stir in diced chicken and cook until lightly browned.
Simmer: Add cauliflower, broth, paprika, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook 15–20 minutes until cauliflower is tender.
Thicken: Use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup (about ⅓) to thicken while keeping chunks.
Add cream: Pour in heavy cream and stir. Season with salt and pepper.
Finish: Top with crispy bacon and chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition

(per serving)

Calories: 480
Fat: 36 g
Protein: 32 g
Net Carbs: 6 g

FAQ

Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes — it’s a great time-saver. Add it near the end so it doesn’t dry out.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and skip the butter.

Will it freeze well?
Absolutely. Let it cool first, then freeze up to 2 months.

Too thick?
Just add a splash of broth or water when reheating.

Variations & Substitutions

Add chopped celery or spinach for more texture.
Replace bacon with pancetta or turkey bacon.
Stir in shredded cheddar for an extra cheesy chowder.
Use smoked chicken for deeper flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with keto garlic bread, almond flour biscuits, or just a handful of cheese crisps for dipping. It’s a full meal by itself but works great as a starter too.

Recipe Card

Keto Chicken & Cauliflower Chowder

Name: Keto Chicken & Cauliflower Chowder
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Comfort / Keto
Ingredients: 400 g chicken breast or thighs, diced; 4 strips bacon, chopped; 1 small head cauliflower, chopped; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp butter; 500 ml chicken broth; 200 ml heavy cream; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp fresh thyme or dried thyme; Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh parsley for garnish

A hearty, creamy chowder packed with juicy chicken, tender cauliflower, smoky bacon, and warm spices — a comforting low-carb meal you’ll want daily.

Yield: 4 servings | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

400 g chicken breast or thighs, diced
4 strips bacon, chopped
1 small head cauliflower, chopped
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp butter
500 ml chicken broth
200 ml heavy cream
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp fresh thyme or dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Cook bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon bits and set aside, leaving fat in pot.
Add butter, onion & garlic to pot and sauté until softened and fragrant.
Add diced chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned.
Stir in cauliflower, chicken broth, smoked paprika, and thyme. Bring to simmer and cook until cauliflower is tender (≈15–20 min).
Use an immersion blender to partially blend the chowder (about one-third) for a thicker texture, leaving chunks intact.
Add heavy cream, stir, and season with salt & pepper.
Serve hot, topped with reserved bacon bits and fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 480
Fat: 36 g
Protein: 32 g
Net Carbs: 6 g

Lunch / Dinner | Comfort / Keto | keto chowder, low carb soup, chicken cauliflower chowder

Final Thoughts

This chowder proves that keto comfort food can be every bit as hearty and satisfying as the real thing. Each spoonful delivers warmth, creaminess, and that cozy “home-cooked” vibe everyone craves in autumn.

It’s the soup that makes you forget about carbs — thick, smoky, and perfectly balanced. The kind of lunch that turns a grey day into a good one. 🥣🍂🐔